The Autumn Pest Checklist: Preparing Your Brisbane Home for the Cooler Months
As the intense Brisbane summer heat begins to fade and we welcome the cooler March evenings, our homes become much more attractive to local pests. Just as we look for warmth and comfort, ants, spiders, and rodents are searching for their “winter retreat.”
Taking a few proactive steps now can save you from an indoor infestation when the temperatures truly drop.
1. Clear Your Gutters and Downpipes
Autumn leaves can quickly clog your guttering system. In the Brisbane climate, trapped moisture in gutters is a primary attractant for subterranean termites.
The McKenna Tip: Ensure water is diverted away from your home’s foundations to keep the soil dry and less inviting to termites.
As the air cools, pests look for tiny gaps around windows, doors, and utility pipes to enter your home.
Action: Check your flyscreens for tears and ensure door seals are tight. A gap as small as a pencil can be an open door for a cockroach or a spider.
We all love a tidy garden, but mulch piled high against your house walls can create a “bridge” over your termite barrier.
Action: Keep a clear inspection zone (at least 75mm) between your garden beds and the bottom of your weepholes or siding.
4. The “Pre-Winter” Professional Barrier